Cable network to add 155 jobs in Bradenton

BRADENTON — Bright House Networks, the second-largest cable operator in Florida, plans to expand its Manatee County customer call center and add 155 jobs over the next three years.

Bright House, according to a release from the Bradenton Area Economic Development Corp., serves around 2.5 million customers in five states, including Florida, Alabama, California, Indiana and Michigan. Services include video, voice, high-speed data, home security and automation. Bright House, with residential and business clients, also owns and operates local news and sports channels in its Florida markets.

“Bright House Networks is proud to bring new jobs to the Bradenton area,” Bright House Networks Senior Vice President for Florida Operations Mike Robertson says in the release. “The addition of 155 customer support center positions will enable us to continue to provide locally dedicated and prompt service to our customers and position us for future growth.”

Local governments will aid the Bright House expansion. Manatee County commissioners approved $155,000 in performance-based incentives for the expected jobs, based on a salary 15% more than the average annual wage in the county. Bradenton city officials, according to the EDC release, have also offered to expedite permitting when Bright House renovates its current facility. The office is on State Road 64, a few miles west of Interstate 75.